Clients giveth, and sometimes clients taketh away, too. I’ve just learned that ICM has signed Nigel Lythgoe, the executive producer of American Idol, away from CAA (which still reps the show, however). But Matt Bomer, the star of USA Network’s White Collar, and James Badge Dale, the star of AMC’s Rubicon, have left ICM to go to CAA. Meanwhile, I hear that Idris Elba, who is currently an ICM client, is taking meetings with the other major agencies. (Elba is the British actor who just signed to play Alex Cross in David Twohy’s Cross based on the James Patterson novels, and stars in the 6-part BBC mini-series Luther playing another maverick cop.) British comic Steve Coogan, who has the busy production company Baby Cow, has left UTA for CAA. Finally, former WME client Chris Offut, who wrote the Epix/Lionsgate pilot Tough Trade, has signed with ICM.

UPDATE: UTA has signed writer/director Bryan Bertino (The Strangers), and his producing partner Adrienne Biddle, away from CAA. Also signed Nick Palmer and Jeremiah Friedman who wrote Family Getaway.

Editor-in-Chief Nikki Finke - tip her here.